PAUL'S CHALLENGE TO PLAYERS

Boss looking for new recruits but wants players to show he can have faith in them

Paul Hurst says he is nowhere near forming a starting X1 for the first game of the season but has challenged his players to lay down a marker to play against Blackburn on August 4.

The Town boss has brought Gwion Edwards and Jordan Roberts to the Club, along with Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah but is keen to add competition for places before the season opener against Rovers at Portman Road.

“I’m nowhere near a team for Blackburn,” Paul told iFollow Ipswich.

“We want to bring in more players to the Club to add to the squad we have and we are working tirelessly to achieve that.

“We are nowhere near the finished article in terms of numbers in the squad - or the quality really.

“But my message to the players here has been that the first game will soon come around and I need them to start stepping up and showing me that I can have faith in them.”

Paul is appearing on BBC Radio Suffolk’s Breakfast Show at 8am on Thursday morning, taking questions from supporters.

Meanwhile Trevoh captained England to a 3-2 win over Turkey in their opening game at the U19 European Championship in Finland.